Andrea Bocelli faces calls to cancel Indonesia concerts

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s primary Islamic scholarly body, has called for the cancellation of two upcoming concerts by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The request follows controversy regarding the singer’s past actions perceived as support for Israel.

Specifically, the MUI cited Bocelli’s participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and a 2022 concert held in Tel Aviv. The council stated that providing a platform to a figure who has supported military actions linked to humanitarian abuses in Gaza is contrary to Indonesian national values and religious guidance.

The disputed performances are part of Bocelli’s world tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of his album ‘Romanza’. The scheduled dates include a concert on October 31 at the Borobudur Temple in Magelang and another on November 3 in Jakarta. The MUI has met with the Indonesian Minister of Tourism to advocate for the cancellation of these events.